Resilient operating means for electric switch



Jan. 28, 1964 1.. H. STITES 3,119,915

RESILIENT OPERATING MEANS FOR ELECTRIC swrrcn Filed Jan. 23, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 30 50 72 Fig.5

Loren h. .Sflres IN VEN TOR.

BY W MW Jan. 28, 1964 Filed Jan. 25, 1962 L. H. STITES RESILIENT OPERATING MEANS FOR ELECTRIC SWITCH Fig.9

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Loren h. Sfifes INVENTOR.

BY @Mm United States Patent 3,119,915 RESILENT GPERATING MEANS FOR ELECTRIC SWITCH Loren H. Stites, 3114 Corunna Road, Flint, Mich. Filed Ian. 23, 1962, Ser. No. 168,994 8 Ulaims. (Cl. 200-165) This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application, Serial No. 773,659, filed November 13, 1958 for Switch, now Patent No. 3,019,313.

This invention relates to switches, and more particularly to improvements in switches which may be used for general purposes or which may be used for special applications.

An object of this invention is to provide improvements in switches enabling the switches to operate considerably more satisfactorily over extended periods with no servlce, no maintenance, and with great dependability.

It is another object of the invention to provide a switch which has resilient operating means and resilient bumpers which also function as insulating means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch which has a large contact surface for effectively conducting large amounts of current.

It is another object of the invention to provide a switch which is cam operated and may be locked in one position by electromagnetic means.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of one form of the switch device of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially on the plane of line 2-2 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially on the plane of line 3-3 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a modified form of this switch;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially on the plane of line 5-5 in FIG- URE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially on the plane of line 6-6 in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the plane of line 7-7 in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of a third form of this invention;

FIGURE 9 is a vertical cross-sectional View taken substantially on the plane of line 9-9 in FIGURE 8; and

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on the plane or" line lib-10 in FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is a section taken along line 11-11 of FIGURE 9.

With continuing reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate inclentical parts, it can can be seen that the switch assembly 10 shown in FIG- URES 1 through 3 includes a hollow rectangular boxlike housing 12 having an open top which is normally covered by a cover 14. The end walls of the housing 12 terminate at their upper edges in horizontally inwardly extending flanges 16 which have threaded apertures therein for receiving screws 19 which extend through bores in the cover 14 for retaining it in proper covering position on the housing 12. The switching mechanism 18 is mounted on the cover 14, and comprises an operating lever 20 of arcuate shape and terminating in an outwardly deflected flat portion 22. The flat portion 22 is con- "ice nected to the arcuate portion 24 by means of a slightly curved corner portion 2-6. The flat portion 22 is provided with a canted bore 28 extending therethrough. The cover 14 is also provided with a bore 311 in alignment with the bore 28.

A rivet 32 having heads at both ends extends through the bores 28 and 313 for retaining the lever 20 on the cover 14. A pair of guide cars 34 project upwardly from the cover on opposite sides of the corner portion 26 of the lever for preventing it from pivoting about the axis of the rivet 32. The rivet 32 extends through the operating components comprising the switch mechanism and maintains them in assembled relationship.

The switch mechanism includes a sleeve 36 which surrounds the rivet 32 and may be tack welded at its upper end to the cover 14. Mounted on and concentric with the sleeve 36 are two cup-shaped, brass washer members 35$ and td which are arranged with their bottoms away from each other. The washer members 41) and 38 have enlarged central bores therein which receive the reduced extensions of annular insulating washers 42 and 44. The washer members and 419 are received in and surrounded by cup-shaped annular insulators 46 and 43. The upper switch element comprising the members 38, 42 and 4 6 are all secured to the sleeve .36 and cover 14. The lower switch element comprising the members 41 44 and 48 are all secured together by conventional means such as cement and are slidable on the sleeve 36. Insulated con ductors 5t? and 52 extend through bores in the members 46, 38, 48 and as, and are silver soldered to the washer members 38 and 4h respectively.

The upper end of the rivet 32 has a washer 54 between its upper head and the lever 20, and the lower portion of the rivet is provided with a washer 56 adjacent its lower head.

As shown in FIGURE 3, the switch element 58 is maintained in inoperative position by two rubber sleeves 62 and 64 which are compressed between the members 48 and 56 and the members 44 and 42 respectively.

The upper surface of the arcuate portion 24 of the lever 2% is provided with a pair of ears 62 through which a pin or rivet 65 extends. An anti-friction roller 66 is journaled on the pin 65 between the ears 62. If friction is not important, members 62, 65 and 66 may be omitted and lever 29 may be operated directly by cam 68.

In operation, the housing 12 is mounted parallel to and adjacent a reciprocating cam member 68 which moves in a direction parallel tothe cover 14. When the cam surface 713 of the cam member 68 contacts the roller 66, the arcuate portion 24 of lever 2t is pushed downwardly towards the cover 14 whereby the lever pivots on the corner portion 26 and the flat portion 22 moves away from the cover 14 and urges the rivet 32 out of the housing. As the rivet 32 moves out of the housing 12, it comresses the resilient members 62 and 64 which causes the switch element 58 to move towards the switch element 6% and the annular surface of washer 40 to contact the annular surface of washer 38. When the washers contact, the switch is closed and a circuit is completed through the switch so as to connect the conductors 5i and 52.

The conductors 5i? and 52 are normally clamped to the cover 14- by means of a clamp member 72 and bolt 74.

A second form of switch 11 is shown in FIGURES 4 through 7. This switch also includes a rectangular housing 12 and a cover member 14 identical to those shown in FIGURES 1 through 3. The switch 11 is a three-way switch and in addition to the switch elements 60 and 58, this switch also includes a central switch element 76. The bottom of the housing 12 is provided with an aperture or bore 78 in axial alignment with the bore 30 and cover 14. A guide sleeve 8! extends through and is secured within the bore 78. An operating rod 32 ext-ends downwardly through the bores 30 and 78 and through the sleeve 80. The lower end of the operating rod has a reduced extension 84. The reduced portion S4 joins the upper portion 88 at an annular shoulder 86. The central switch assembly '76 includes an annular contact sleeve 93 having an inwardly extending annular rib 9-2 at its central portion. A pair of insulating washers 94 and 36 are received within the contact member 9% and have adjacent annular grooves formed therein for receiving the rib 9-2 and maintaining the washers 94 and 96 in fixed relation with respect to the contact member A pair of metal washers 98 and 100 are on each side of the washers 94- and 96. An elongated sleeve 102 abuts the lowermost head of the operating rod 82 and compresses the washers 98, 1%, 94 and 96 tightly together and against the shoulder 86. An insulating sleeve 1% surrounds the contact member 90 and is secured thereto.

Annular resilient rubber sleeves 1&6 and 1% surround the operating rod 82 and contact opposite sides of the central switch element 76 so as to maintain its centered in relation to the switch elements 58 and 69.

The weight of the operating rod 82 and the central switch element are supported by rubber members 106, 163 and 116. Switch elements 64} and 53 are slidable on the operating rod 82 and the sleeve 80 respectively, Resilient annular bumper members 114 and 116 surround the operating rod 82 and sleeve 81) and are slightly compressed between the cover 14 and between the switch element 6t), and between the switch elements 53 and bottom of the housing 12 rewectively.

Insulated conductors 113, 121i and 122 are silver soldered to the switch elements 69, 76 and $8 respectively in the same manner as the conductors t and 52 are connected to their switch elements.

To connect the conductors 113 and 126 by means of the switch elements 6% and 76, it is only necessary to pull upwardly on the operating head 112. To connect the conductors 120 and 122 by means of the switch elements 58 and 76, it is only necessary to push downwardly on the operating head 112..

FIGURES 8 through illustrate a third form of switch 125 which also includes a rectangular housing 12 and a cover 14. An operating rod 126 extends downwardly through the bore in the cover 14 and the lower ends 123 extends into and is guided by a sleeve 1351 which extends through the bore 78 in the bottom of the housing 12 and is secured therein.

The sleeve 139 extends through the switch element 53 and its upper end is flared over a washer 132 which abuts against the insulating member 44 of the switch element so as to limit its upward movement. A rubber bumper 134 surrounds the sleeve 13%} and is compressed between the housing 12 and the bottom of the switch element 53 so as to urge it upwardly against the Washer 132.

In a similar manner, a sleeve member 136 is SZCL' ed to the cover 14 in alignment with the bore 30 and extends through the valve element 60. The lower end of the sleeve 136 is also flared over a washer for retaining the switch element on against the annular rubber bumper 141 which surrounds the sleeve 136 and is compressed between the cover 14 and switch element 60.

An enlarged portion 142 is provided on the central portion of the operating rod 126 and forms an annular shoulder 144- on the operating rod. The lowermost end 123 of the operating rod extends through the central aperture in the switch element 76 and this lower portion is peene-d at 146 so as to compress the switch element '76 between the annular shoulder 144- and a washer 148. This securely locks the switch element 7 6 to the operating rod 126.

Conductors 150, 152 and are connected in the manner explained above to the switch elements 53, 69 and 76. A coil spring 156 is compressed between the cover 14 and a washer 158 abutting the head of the operating rod. The spring 156 normally urges the switch elements 6t and '76 into contact with one another for completing a circuit between the conductors and 152.

A resilient arm 158 is connected to the cover 14 by screws 16%). The upper end of the arm 153 is curved as shown at 162 for contacting the roller 164 (or a cam member 68 as shown in FIGURE 2) on rcciprocable operating member 166. The member 166 moves parallel to the cover 14 so that the roller 164 may cam the curved portion 162 of the arm 158 downwardly for contacting the operating rod 126 and thereby overcoming spring 156 so as to open switch elements 6876 and close switch elements 53-76.

A conventional electric solenoid 168 is rigidly secured to the cover 14 and includes an iron core 170 which is surrounded by an electric coil 172. A flat armature 174 extends perpendicular to and adjacent one end of the core 171). The armature 174 is rectangular and is guided between two parallel plastic ears 177 fixed to insulator 179 at one end of the solenoid 163. The upper end of the armature is connected to a plunger 180 which has a bore therein receiving a coil spring 182. Rubber bumpers 131 project from 179 to act as a sound deadener for armature 174. Plunger 180 is surrounded by a washer 169 of resilient material.

The enlarged portion 142 of operating rod 126 also forms an annular upper shoulder 184. When the operating rod is pushed downwardly for closing the switch elements 58-76, the spring 132 forces plunger 180 over shoulder 184 and thereby locking the contacts 58 and 76 in closing relationship. Conductors 186 and 138 are connected between remote control means and the solenoid 168 so as to selectively energize the solenoid. When the solenoid 168 is energized, the armature 1'74 is drawn toward the solenoid which in turn withdraws the plunger 189 from adjacent shoulder 184 thereby permitting spring 156 to disengage switch elements Sit-76 and engage the switch elements 6tl-76.

If desired the switch element 58 could be omitted from the third switch assembly 154. Also, the switch assembly 18 shown in FIGURES 1 through 3 could also be provided with a locking solenoid similar to the solenoid 168 if desired.

Another important form of single limit switch includes the form shown in FIGURES 8-10 modified by placing 53 to take the place of 76 and omitting solenoid 168, plunger 180, enlarged portion 142, conductor 154 and assembly 58.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A switch comprising first and second contacts adjacent one another, each of said contacts having a recess in its central portion opposing the recess in the opposite contact, resilient means in said recesses urging said contacts apart, operating means connected to at least one of said contacts for compressing said resilient means and urging said contacts together, said operating means including an elongated member extending through bores in the centers of said contacts, means connecting said member to one of said contacts, means connected to said member for moving it through the other contact.

2. A switch comprising first and second contacts adjacent one another, each of said contacts having a recess in its central portion opposing the recess in the opposite contact, guide means connecting said contacts for movement toward and away from one another, the peripheral edges of said contacts surrounding said recess adapted to conductively engage when said contacts are forced together, said contacts being cup shaped and having aligned apertures in the bottoms thereof, said guide means including rod means extending through said apertures and slidably guiding at least one of said contacts toward and away from the other contact during operation of the switch.

3. A switch as defined in claim 2 wherein spring means surrounds said rod means and urges one of said contacts in one direction relative to the other contact.

4. A switch as defined in claim 3 wherein said spring means includes a tubular resilient member of insulating material surrounding said rod and having opposite end portions in said recesses, said spring means urging said contacts apart.

5. A switch as defined in claim 3 wherein a third contact similar to said first contact is located on the opposite side of said second contact as said first contact, a second recess in the second contact opposing the recess in the third contact, housing means enclosing said switch, said rod means secured to said second contact and extending through an opening in said housing, said first and third contacts being secured to said housing.

6. A switch as defined in claim 5 wherein rubber bumpers are located between each of said first and third contacts and said housing.

7. A switch as defined in claim 3 wherein switch lock means is mounted adjacent said rod means for selectively engaging said rod means and securing it in one position, remote control means operatively connected to said lock means.

8. A switch as defined in claim 3, wherein said rod means is operatively connected to an operating lever, cam means movably mounted adjacent said lever for operating same.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,244,933 Armstrong June 10, 1941 

1. A SWITCH COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND CONTACTS ADJACENT ONE ANOTHER, EACH OF SAID CONTACTS HAVING A RECESS IN ITS CENTRAL PORTION OPPOSING THE RECESS IN THE OPPOSITE CONTACT, RESILIENT MEANS IN SAID RECESSES URGING SAID CONTACTS APART, OPERATING MEANS CONNECTED TO AT LEAST ONE OF SAID CONTACTS FOR COMPRESSING SAID RESILIENT MEANS AND 